Golf-ball washer



March 17, 1931. E. M. LAING 3 5 GOLF BALL WA HER- Filed luly 2, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet 1 v ITRFQTJF? c/ March 17, 19.31. E. M. LAING' eow mmvmsusaFiled July 2. 192a mm \\m\ J1 orneeys cri Patented Mar. 17, 1931 FATE ar OFFICE EDWARD M. Lame, oFH'IGHLAN-DPARK, ILLINOIS GOLF-BALL WASHER.

Application filed July 2-, 1928. Serial No. 289,835.-

This invention relates to a golf ball washer, and more particularly toan improved apparatus that may be located near a tee for expeditiouslyand efficiently cleaning a golf ball. I

One object of the invention is to provide an improved means forreciprocating a golf ball between a pair of brushes immersed in acleaning liquid such as water, incombination with means for rotating theball so as to expose different surfaces thereof to the brushes.

Another object is to provide improved means for supporting the brushesand ballholding mechanism so that the receptacle for the liquid may beeasily removed and cleaned.

Another object is'to' provide an improved reservoir for holding a supplyof liquid to replenish the liquid in the cleaning receptacle.

Another object is to provide improved means for supporting the washerandreservoir in an easily accessible position.

Other objects and advantagesof this invention will be more apparent fromthe fol lowing detailed description of one approved form of theapparatus.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete assembly.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3'is a central vertical section on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the ball holder and a portion of theoperating lever, showing same in the positions-assumed in the oppositestroke from that shown in Fig. 4.

6 is a transverse section, taken substantiallyon the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section, looking from the opposite side at thestructure shown in Fig. 4.

The supporting standard comprises'a base 1 of sufficient size and weightto carry the parts hereinafter described without danger of upsetting,from the center of whlch project's' upwardly the uprightcylindrical post2-.- The post 2 terminates at a convenient height to have the washerhereinafter described in position for operation by a person standingalongside the apparatus, and is provided near its upper end with anoutstanding annular flange 3 above which is rotatably supported thecollar 4 upon the upper end 5 of the" post. I

The horizontal cover plate or closure 6 of the golf ball washer isformed'at one side with an upstanding vertical flange or bracket 7 whichis secured by bolts 8 to a flange 9 formed on collar 4. The plate 6 isformed with a longitudinally extending central slot 10, and at eitherside of this'slot are upstanding flanges or brackets 11. and 12, thebracket 11 being connected with flange 7 by the strengthening web 13. Alever 14 is pivoted at an intermediate point on the shaft 15 j ournaledin the flanges or brackets 11 and 12. A pair of cover flaps 16, adaptedto normally close the slot 10, have ears 16 pivoted on shaft 15 ateither side of the lever 14. The longer upper arm 17 of lever 14 isformed as an operating handle which may be oscillated back and forththrough an arc of substantially 180 above the horizontal plane of thetop of plate 6. During this movement the shorter lower arm 18 of lever14 will project downwardly through slot 10 in cover plate 6 and beoscillated therebeneath.

A pair of similar brushes or other equivalent cleaning devices aremounted in opposed positions beneath the plate 6, the backs 19 of thebrushes being secured to the bottom of plate 6 by screws 20 which passthrough slots 21 elongated transversely of the plate 6. The slots 21permit the brushesto be usted toward or from one another. The bristles22 project toward oneanother so that the space therebetween'is less thanthe diameter of ,a

golf ball. Thelower end 18 of the lever 14 is adapted to oscillatebetween these brushes.

An open topped receptacle 23 for holding the water or other cleaningliquid is suspended beneath cover plate Bin any suitable manner. As hereshown laterally projecting ears 24 on plate 6 are received between pairsof ears 25 on receptacle 23, and pins 26 passed through these ears serveto support the receptacle A downwardly projecting flange 27 on the lowerface of plate 6 fits within receptacle 23 and holds the receptacle inproperly centered position.

An annular golf-ball holder 28, of considerably less thickness than thediameter of the golf ball, or the distance between brushes 22, alaterally projecting tongue 29 that is pivoted in a recess 30 formed inthe lower portion of lever arm 18, upon a pivot pin 31. The recess 30projects laterally through one side of arm 18 and has an upper stopsurface 32 and a lower stop surface 33 spaced at such an angulardistance apart that a limited oscillation of the ball-holder 28 aboutthe pivot pin 31 is permitted. The circular opening 34 in holder 28- isof sufficientlylarge dia1neter to permit the golf ball 35 to,rotate'freely therein and also to have a limited freedom for rollingmovement in a substantially vertical direction. Alon the outer edges ofopening 34 are inwardly projecting flanges 36 which serve as tracks uponwhich the ball 35 may roll when the holder is moved in one direction. Anarcuate flange 37 formed on the lower portion of arm 18 projectspartially across the opening 34 at one side thereof, and has an innersurface 38 extending diagonally to the opening and adapted to engage theball lVhen the handle 17 is swung down to the right to thedotted lineposition shown in 4, the holder 28 will be elevated out of thereceptacle 23 to the dotted line position so that the ball 35 may beinserted therein. The handle 17 is then swung upwardly and oscillatedback .d forth so to oscillate the lower arm 18 of the lever and the ballholder 28 back and forth between the brushes 22. As the lever 17 isfirst swung in the direction of the arrow (6 (Fig. and the ball hold-.er 28 is moved in the direction of the arrow on the lever arm, thisrolling movement tak-' ing place in the inclined plane g (Fig. turningsubstantially about the inclined axis It will be noted that this rollingmovement is at an acute angle to the plane in which the lever andball-holder swing, so that new surfaces of the ball will be exposed tothe brushes 22. The successive rolling movements of the ball as thelever 14 is oscillated back and forth, and as the ball holder 28oscillates vertically within the recess 30 in the lever, se .ves tocontinually change the surfaces of the ball'that are directly opposed tothe brushes, so that the entire surface of the ball is quickly andelfectively cleaned.

The pivoted flaps 1t; normally cover the slot 10 so as to preventsplashing during the cleaning operation, and to prevent evaporation ofthe cleaning liquid when the device is not in use. These flaps areautomatically lifted by the ball-holder when it is swung out of thereceptacle at either side, and close automatically by their own weight.

At the opposite side of post 2 from the golf ball washer just described,a flange plate 39 formed on collar 4 is bolted to and supports avertical plate 4O projecting upwardly from the rear side of thereservoir 41. This reservoir 41 is partially open at the top asindicated at 42, and is adapted to hold a supply of water or othercleaning liquid substantially at the same level as the liquid supply inreceptacle 23. An outlet pipe 43 leads from the rear side of receptacle41 and is provided with a cut-elf valve or stop-cock 44. A section offlexible tubing 45 is adapted to connect tne end 46 of pipe 43 with aninlet port 47 projecting from the rear side of receptacle 23. When theflexible tube 45 is in place and the valve 44 open, the receptacle 23will be in open communication with reservoir 41 so that the liquid willseek the same level in both receptacles.

t is sometimes desirable to remove the receptacle 23 for the purpose ofremoving the dirt therefrom, and cleaning the brushes 22. At such timethe valve 44 is closed and the flexible tube 45 detached from port 47,whereupon the receptacle 23 may be easily removed by withdrawing thepins 26.

A liquid container 48, which is closed except fora restricted neckportion 49, is piv otally attached at to the outer upper edge ofreservoir 41. When container 48 is swung down to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 1, the container can be filled with water orother liquid n the usual manner of filling a bottle, preferably with theaid of av funnel. When container 48 is swung up to the position shown insolid lines in Figs. 1 and 2, and shown in section in Fig. 3, the neck49 will project below the normal liquid level in reservoir 4-1.Atn'iospheric pressure will now serve to hold the contents within theinverted container until such time as the liquid level in reservoir 41a; d receptacle 23 has fallen below the bottom of. neck 49 whereupon aportion of the liquid will flow out until the level is again raisedabove the bottom of the neck 49. Since the water supply withinreceptacle 23 is gradually exhausted by the cleaning operationsperformed therein, and due to the fact that some liquid will be splashedfrom the receptacle, it is necessary that this water supply be more orless c0nstantly replenished, and the reservoir 41 and container 48 serveto hold a considerable supply of l quid for automatically renewing theweapon.

supply in receptacle2 3a, The receptacle 48 is held in raised orinvertedposition; by the removable pin 51 which connects an ear 52. on thereceptacle with ears 53 on plate lOz It will be noted-thatthe entireassembly consist-ingot the golf ballfwashe r, and the Watersupplytherefor, is rotatabl-y carried by collarfl at the upper end ofpost 2 so that the washerinay ccfinveni'entlyv be swung toany'positionabout the post and the reservoir l1 ai'idf container l8 willsimultaneously be moved out of the way at the other side of the post.The water supply portion of the apparatus also serves as a counterweight for the golf ballwashing apparatus, so that the entire assemblyand the standard 2 are substantially balanced at'all times.

\Vhile the water will ordinarily be sufiicient as a cleaning. agent, itis to be understood that other cleaning fluids maybe used in thisapparatus. Also other means than brushes might be usedas scrubbingagents, for example pads offelt or similar material. In the followingclaims, the term brushes is intended to cover all such equivalentdevices.

I claim: 7

1. A golfball washer comprisinga-receptacle for holding liqnid, a pairof opposed brushes mounted within the receptacle, a lever pivoted sothat its lowerenjd will swing between the brushes, a ball holder movably connected with the lever for permitting limited bodily movement of theball with relation to the lever, the lever having a surface at one sideof and inclined at an acute angle to the plane of'movement of the leverupon which the ball rolls during its bodily movement with respect to thelever.

2. A golf. ball washer comprising receptacle for holding liquid, apairof opposed brushes mounted within the receptacle,-a

lever pivoted so that its lower endwill swing between the brushes, aball holder movably connected with theleverfor permitting limited bodilymovement of the ball'with relation tothe lever, and means on the leverfor causing the ball: to rotate during this bodily movement about anaxis inclined at an acute angle to. the plane of movement of the lever.

'3. A golf ball washer comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, apair of opposed brushes mountedwithin the receptacle. a lever pivoted sothat its lower-end will swing between the brushes, and an annular ballholder pivot-ally"connected with the. lower end of the lever for limitedswinging movement with respect thereto, theholder being of lessthickness than a golf ball or the distance between the brushes, theholder having. an opening for recei v 'mg the balfl this opening beingof greater diameter than the golf ball, and means for causing the ballto rotate about an axis inclined-at an acute angle to. the. plane of:swinging movement of the lever as the. holder swings with. whip-6 h to.the lever.

4. A golf ball Washer comprising a re.- ceptacl'e forhol ding liquid,apair of opposed brusl1es..mounted within the receptacle, a

lever pivotedsothat itslower end will swing between the brushes, and aball holder piw. otally connected with the lower end; of; the. lever forlimited; swinging.- movement with respect thereto, theholderbeing. oflessthickness thania g'olt ball or the distance between the brushes,the. holder having. an opening for receiving the ball this. openingbeing larger. than the diameter. ot a golf ball, and means onthe leverengaging the ball: to rotate same. as the holder swings withrelationtoithe lever.

5. A; golf ball washer comprising a receptacle for holding. liquid, a.pair of opposed brushes mounted within the receptacle, aleverpivotedsothat its lower end-will swing between. the. brushes, andan. annular ball holder pivotally connected.- with the. lower end of thelever for limited swinging move: ment with. respect thereto, the. holderbeing of less thickness than. a golf ball or the distance between thebrushes, the holder having an opening for receiving the ball. thisopening being of greater diameter than a golf'ball', and an arcuateflange on thelever. projecting partially. across the. opening. in theholder at one side thereof, against which the ball rolls. when theholder swings with relation to the lever, the-"plane of rolling movementbeing disposed at an acute angle to the plane of swinging movement ofthe lever.

. 6. A golf ball washer comprising a receptacle for holding. liquid, aclosure for said receptacle, a pairof' opposed brushes mounted in thereceptacle, a lever intermediately pivoted on the cover above thereceptacle so that oscillation of. the upper arm of'the lever willcause. the lower arm. tliereotto swing within the receptacle betweenthe. brushes, and a ball holder pivotally connected with the lower end.of. the lever for limited oscillation in the plane of movement of thelever.

7 A golf ball washer comprising. a receptacle for holding. liquid, aclosure for said receptacle, a pair of opposed? brushes mounted in thereceptacle, a lever intermediately pivoted on the-cover above thereceptacle. so that oscillation of the. upper arm of the lever willcause the lower. arm thereof to swing. within the receptacle between thebrushes, and an. annular ball holder pivotally connected with the lowerend of' the lever for limited swinging movement with respect thereto,the holder being of less thickness than a golf ball and having anopening therein of greater diameter than the ball, and an arcuate.flange on the. lower arm of the lever projecting partially across theopening in. the holder at one side thereof to engage the ball sothat't-he'ball will roll on the flange as the holder swings withrelation to the lever.

8. A golf ball washer comprising a cover plate having a centrallongitudinal slot therein and a pair of upstanding brackets either sideof the slot, means for supporting the plate, a pair of opposed brushessecured to the lower face of the plate one ateither side of the slot, alever, means for intermediately pivoting the lever between the bracketsso that the lower end thereof projects downwardly through the slot forswinging movement between the brushes, a receptacle for holding liquidsuspended beneath the plate so that the brushes are housed therein, anannular ball holder of less thickness than a golf ball and having anopening therein of greater diameter than the ball, the ball holder beingpivotally connected with the lower end of the lever for limited swingingmovement with respect thereto substantially in the plane of movement ofthe lever, and an arcuate flange on the lever projecting partiallyacross the openingin the holder at one side thereof so that the ballwill roll on the flange as the holder swings with relation to the lever.

9. The combination with a supporting standard and a golf ball washercarried thereby comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, and meanspositioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf-ball, ofa reservoir for liquid carried by the standard, a pipe connectionbetween the lower portions of the receptacle and reservoir, and a liquidcontainer closed except for a small filling-neck, and means forsupporting the container in inverted position with the neck projectingbeneath the normal liquid level in the reservoir.

10. T he combination with supporting standard and a golf ball, washercarried thereby comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, and meanspositioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning a golf-ball, ofa reservoir for liquid carried by the standard, a pipe connectionbetween the lower portions of the receptacle and reservoir, and a liquidcontainer closed except for a small fillingneck, the container beingpivotally connected with one side of the reservoir so that it may beswung down to fill the container, or swung up to invert the container inwhich position the neck projects below the normal liquid level in thereservoir and means for holding the container in this invertedposit-ion.

11. The combination with a standard comprising an upright post having anannular shoulder near the upper endthereof, a collar rotatably supported'on the post above the shoulder, and a golf ball washer supported by thecollar, said washer comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, andmeans positioned partially within the receptacle for cleaning agolf-ball, of a reservoir for liquid also attached to and supported fromthe collar at the opposite-side of the post from the Washer, and aconduit connecting the reservoir with the receptacle.

12. The combination with a standard comprising an upright post having anannular shoulder near the upper end thereof, a collar rotatablysupported on the post above the shoulder, and a golf ball washersupported by the collar, said washer comprising a receptacle for holdingliquid, and means positioned partially within the receptacle forcleaning a golf-ball, of a reservoir for liquid also attached to andsupported from the col lar at theopposite side of the post from thewasher, a conduit connecting the reservoir with the receptacle, a liquidcontainer closed except for a small filling neck, and means forsupporting the container in inverted position with the neck below thenormal liquid level in the container.

13. The combination with a standard comprising an upright post having anannular shoulder near the upper end thereof, a collar rotatablysupported on the post above the shoulder, and a golf ball washersupported by the collar, said washer comprising ai'eceptacle for holdingliquid, and means positioned partially within the receptacle forcleaning a golf ball, of a reservoir for liquid also attached to andsupported from the collar at the opposite side of the post from thewasher, a conduit connecting the reservoir with the receptacle, a liquidcontainer closed except for a small filling neck, the container beingpivotally supported from one side of the reservoir so that it may beswung up to inverted position with the neck projecting below the liquidlevel in the reservoir. h

14;. In combination with a standard comprising an upright post having anannular shoulder near the upper end thereof, a collar rotatablysupported on the post above the shoulder, a golf ball washer comprisinga cover plate attached to the collar and projecting laterally therefrom,and means supported by the cover plate and positioned partially withinthe receptacle for cleaning a golf ball, a receptacle for liquidremovably suspended from the, plate, areservoir for liquid supported bythe collar at the opposite side of the post, an outlet pipe projectingfrom the lower portion of the reservoir, a valve in the pipe, and aremovable flexible pipe connection between the outlet pipe and thereceptacle.

15. In combination with a standard comprising an upright post havinganannular shoulder near the upper end thereof, a collar rotatablysupported on the post above the shoulder, a golf ball washer comprisinga cover plate attached to the collar and projecting laterally therefrom,and means sup ported by the cover plate and positioned partially withinthe receptacle for cleaning a golf ball, a receptacle for liquidremovably suspended from the plate, a reservoir for liquid supported bythe collar at the opposite side of the post, an outlet pipe projectingfrom the lower portion of the reservoir, a valve in the pipe, a flexiblepipe connection between the outlet pipe and the receptacle, a liquidcontainer having a restricted filling neck, and means for supporting thecontainer in inverted position above the reservoir with the neckprojecting beneath the normal liquid level in the reservoir.

16. A golf ball washer comprising a closure for a receptacle, a bracketextending laterally from the upper portion of the closure for supportingthe closure, cleaning means supported from the closure and extendingdownwardly therefrom, an operating handle for the cleaning meansextending upwardly from the closure, and a receptacle for a cleaningliquid removably supported from the closure and adapted to-house thecleaning means.

17. A golf ball washer comprising a closure for a receptacle, a bracketextending laterally from the upper portion of the closure for supportingthe closure, a pair of brushes supported from the lower side of theclosure, a member movably carried by the closure and comprising anupwardly projecting handle and a downwardly projecting ball-holderextending between the brushes, and a receptacle for a cleaning liquidremovably supported from the closure and adapted to house the brushesand ball-holder. I

18. A golf ball washer comprising a receptacle for holding liquid, aclosure for the receptacle provided with a longitudinal slot therein, apair of brackets at either side of the receptacle centrally thereof, ashaft mounted in the brackets, a pair of opposed brushes mounted withinthe receptacle, a lever pivoted on the shaft so that its lower end willswing between the brushes, a ball holder on the lower end of the lever,and a pair of closures for the slot, said closures being pivotedadjacent the axis of the lever and adapted to be lifted by the ballholder as it is swung up out of the receptacle.

EDWARD M. LAING.

